Joe is a renowned filmmaker celebrated for his innovative and insightful approach to addressing multicultural issues.
From a young age, Joe demonstrated his creative flair and entrepreneurial spirit, co-founding Caliber Press with Gary Reed at the tender age of 17. Caliber's inaugural release was the comic book "The Crow," which would later be adapted into a successful film.
Following high school, Joe relocated to California to pursue his passion for filmmaking, attending film school and serving as an assistant to the Oscar-nominated director John Singleton. By the age of 22, Joe had secured representation from Creative Artists Agency, penning features and teleplays for various studios and production companies.
Joe's directorial debut, the documentary "Seven Days in Japan," earned the Best Documentary award at the San Diego Comic-Con International Film Festival in 2005. This initial success was followed by another triumph when his second film, the romantic comedy short "Akira's Hip Hop Shop," won the Directors' Guild of America student award for Best African-American Director in 2007.
"Akira's Hip Hop Shop" is a poignant portrayal of an interracial relationship between a Japanese DJ and a Black chef. The film premiered on BET in December 2009 as a Top 5 finalist in BET's Lens of Talent showcase and screened at film festivals worldwide. Joe is a proud member of the Writers Guild of America.
Joe's most recent project, the critically acclaimed comedy film "CornerStore," was selected by AMC for its AMC Independent program after being honored with "Best Comedy" accolades at the Detroit-Windsor International Film Festival. After a successful 12-week run on two screens during the summer of 2011, the film was held over in Atlanta for three weeks following its January 2012 debut.
A deliciously offbeat comedy, "CornerStore" subtly highlights the tensions and bonds amongst the diverse residents of Detroit's Six Mile Road, showcasing Joe's skill in crafting relatable and engaging narratives.
